Every Friday morning in the small Queensland town of Gin Gin, a group of students with special needs are learning how to train and handle alpacas at the local high school.

It is a unique animal-assisted therapy program unlike any other in Australia.

"We're trying to create an opportunity for these students to overcome some inhibitions or difficulties they might have so they can go into the mainstream, and work happily in the mainstream classes," said Special Education teacher Graham Maskiell.

The weekly program is being delivered to year 7, 8 and 9 students who have varying special needs, from Autism Spectrum Disorder through to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Alpaca breeder Fiona Laughton, who is also the president of the Australian Alpaca Association in Queensland, instructs the students each week in handling the animals.

The students work primarily with young animals that have only had basic halter training, teaching them to navigate a specially-designed obstacle course.

Ms Laughton said the handling program was a great confidence-building exercise for both the students and the alpacas.